Feyza N. Arıkan is a legal consultant at Bıçak Law Firm, specializing in Dutch Law, European Law, and International Law, with a particular focus on employment law, immigration law, and corporate law. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she obtained a dual Master’s degree in Employment Law and Private Law from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. After completing her studies, she pursued professional opportunities in Turkey, where she is currently finalizing her legal equivalency program at Galatasaray University in Istanbul.

With extensive experience in both the corporate and legal sectors, Feyza has worked at several prestigious international law firms, including CMS Law Tax and Spuistraat10 Lawyers in the Netherlands, advising clients on complex legal matters, contract negotiations, and regulatory compliance. Her expertise lies in bridging the legal systems of the Netherlands and Turkey, providing tailored solutions to businesses and individuals navigating cross-border legal challenges.

Beyond her legal practice, Feyza has contributed to various social impact projects and governmental research initiatives, including work for the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities and the Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice. These experiences have further strengthened her ability to analyze legal frameworks and advocate for legal rights and protections on an international scale.

With her strong background in both European and Turkish legal systems, multilingual capabilities, and commitment to delivering innovative legal solutions, Feyza plays a key role in assisting clients with international legal matters. She is multilingual, with native proficiency in Dutch and Turkish, advanced proficiency in English, and basic knowledge of German. She is also highly skilled in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Teams.

Between 2020 and 2024, Feyza worked as the Corporate Communications Coordinator at a technology company in Ankara since May 2020. In this role, she has supervised game development processes, collaborated with the CEO and international clients, and maintained daily communication with global telecom companies. She has managed external communications, ensured clarity and consistency in internal messaging, and worked closely with engineers to plan and implement game production activities. Additionally, she has procured software necessary for game development, participated in training sessions with international partners, led recruitment evaluations for international hires, and assisted the company’s attorney in legal matters. Before this role, she served as the Office Director at the same company from November 2019 to May 2020, overseeing office operations, coordinating communication, and improving efficiency in collaboration with the CEO and legal department.

In April 2021, she contributed to a research project at a governmental institution in Ankara, focusing on hate crimes and anti-discrimination laws in the Netherlands. She summarized her research findings for publication, providing valuable information for the Turkish community in the Netherlands regarding their legal rights.

Between January 2019 and November 2020, she worked as the CEO Executive Assistant at a multinational company involved in fast fashion textile production and international food distribution. She provided administrative support to the CEO, managed business operations in Europe and Turkey, monitored textile production reports, maintained documentation, and drafted contracts, official letters, and employment agreements. She also played a key role in developing innovative food distribution models between Belgium and Turkey.

Feyza has also gained legal experience through various internships. In 2017, she interned at a leading international law firm in Istanbul, specializing in Corporate Law, Competition & EU Law, and Turkish Employment Law. She was involved in drafting legal documents, providing counsel to international clients, and attending legal training courses. In 2016, she worked as a Legal Intern at the same firm’s office in the Netherlands, one of the top law firms in the country, where she gained experience in Employment Law, Social Security & Pension Law, and Sports Law. She contributed to major doping cases and supported the Turkish business desk, demonstrating strong research skills that led to an extended internship at the Istanbul office.

Between 2016 and 2017, she worked as a Legal Consultant at a law office in Amsterdam, providing consultancy in Private Law, Employment Law, and Immigration Law. She managed independent case files, assisted clients through legal proceedings, prepared business plans for Turkish entrepreneurs seeking residence permits in the Netherlands, conducted legal research, and drafted petitions, appeals, and court correspondence.

In early 2015, she contributed to a research project at a legal research institute in The Hague. She worked on a study analyzing the management of children in contentious divorces, focusing on the effectiveness of mandatory mediation and divorce education. She conducted literature reviews and co-authored a published study titled Preventing Contentious Divorces: A Literature Study on the Effectiveness of Mandatory Mediation and Divorce Education (2015).

Her legal career began in 2011 with an internship at a law office in Amsterdam, where she attended court hearings, client meetings, and assisted in drafting legal documents. During the same period, she also worked as an Administrative & Project Management Officer at a civil society organization in Amsterdam. In this role, she managed significant projects such as an international civil society forum, a debate forum, and a symposium on EU-Turkey relations, demonstrating leadership in project execution and management. Additionally, between 2011 and 2012, she served as Treasurer for a student union in Amsterdam. In this capacity, she managed budgets, expenses, and organized student projects and seminars.